Episode 332: All That Remains frontman Phil Labonte on guns and heavy metal

We start off the podcast with editor-in-chief Jack Murphy discussing both some of the criticism and praise we’ve received over SOFREP.com posting footage of the killing of Green Berets in Niger by ISIS. This controversy is by no means something that we take lightly, and Jack wanted to be frank with the audience of why this decision was made. More can be read on this in Jack’s post “Why we published the Niger video.”

Our special guest this show is none other than All That Remains frontman Phil Labonte. ATR is celebrating their 20th year as a band, and many of you loved their video for the song “Madness” featuring Kris Paronto which raised awareness for post-traumatic stress related issues in combat veterans as well as soldier suicide. Phil shares some great stories of coming up touring with bands like Five Finger Death Punch (who he’s filled in for on vocals) and Motograter (a name you may remember if you were into the nu-metal scene about 15 years back.) Not only is Phil an accomplished musician though, he’s also a former Marine and a gun store owner. He was even at SHOT Show which we discuss, and he recently got some attention for the video on his Youtube channel talking the issue of gun control after the Florida school shooting.

After wrapping with Phil we pay our respects to WWII fighter pilot Jerry Yellin, who flew the last combat mission over Japan. We just recently found out of his passing at 93. Brandon Webb however did have the fortune of interviewing Jerry just recently on The Power of Thought (Episode 13) which is very worth checking out. Then, we give out a Throat Punch of the Week for the first time in a while. We appreciate all the well thought out feedback in these past few days, and those that are having a respectful discussion about some very serious issues, we encourage that.

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About the Author

Ian Scotto
is a New York Festivals award winning radio producer from Long Island, New York with on-air and behind the scenes radio experience for over a decade. Ian holds a degree in radio from Hofstra University and got his start at WRHU, the highest ranked college radio station by the Princeton Review. Since then, Ian went on to work at Sirius XM on Fangoria Radio with legendary rock icon Dee Snider, The Wilkow Majority with conservative firebrand Andrew Wilkow, and producing American Voices with Senator Bill Bradley. Ian now works full time at Hurricane Group producing and co-hosting SOFREP Radio, the leading special operations podcast, as well as producing Brandon Webb’s The Power of Thought podcast. Ian is a fitness enthusiast, rock & roll fanatic, and keeps his faith in God.

Comments

Jack,
You are right, no one should have to see a video like that, but, it is the truth of what we are (and were) confronted with as military professionals. It is very difficult to describe in a narrative what the video shows. The video describes itself. I have no doubt you had a difficult time deciding to air it. As a multiple tour combat vet, I respect your decision. The video shows the bravery of our fellow soldiers. Let's leave it at that.
JimJ

Thomas G

Jacl is developing the kind of editorial discretion that left the MSM decades ago.

Michelle B

Good podcast. Great discussion about the Niger video; juggling complex media responsibilities (and past irresponsibilities); and concerns about gun control and families and diverse causes for recent social upheaval. I loved all of it, especially the humility of Jack grappling with tough decisions not everyone is going to like and Phil confidently downplaying his modest military service. But my favorite part? "I scream at a stick for a living." Ha!
Thanks SOFREP for providing a place where we can give "well thought out feedback" and have a "respectful discussion about some very serious issues." It's a rare environment to be able to passionately disagree on things that matter to us, and listen to each other and think about why we stand where we do.